golfishunts Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I have an original Gibson archtop/archback. I contacted Gibson several years ago with the serial number and was told it was built in 1937 and with a red pencil "C" at the end of the serial# it was a custom build. It has the fully adjustable bridge, raised diamond tailpiece, Grover tuners, triangle neck, round dot inlays, and MOP Gibson script inlay on the head. I play this one quite often. Gibson suggested that it was probably built for a professional musician of the day since it has all the best "playing features" that were available at the time but none of the ornate stuff. Money was pretty tight in 1937...lol. I have no inclination to ever sell this guitar as it reminds me too much of my father's 1948 L48 that I learned to play on. It has a lot of wear from extended use but still plays beautifully. Any help would be greatly appreciated in determining which model this actually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 It looks like a pretty basic model which with the arched back and assuming a 1937 build date makes me think L-50. I am far from an expert on Gibson archtops though so maybe somebody else will chime in. The Grover Sta-tite tuners which were used on several Gibson models during the 1930s are very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Chance Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Not an L-5, L-12, L-10, L-7, or L-4. Must be an L-75. Back and sides made of mahogany, or maple? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfishunts Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 This is the problem in identifying it: according to Gibson it was custom built. I have a printout of the 1937 Gibson full-line catalog here on my desk. The L50 is listed as "carved top" only. The L75 is listed as "carved top and back" but it's a round-hole design not an f-hole. This one is kind of a L62.5 lol. None of the f-hole models have a carved top and back until you step up to the L4 or L7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchristo Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 it looks identical to my 37 L-50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I have a printout of the 1937 Gibson full-line catalog here on my desk. The L50 is listed as "carved top" only. Catalogs are not a reliable source. The same photos and description can appear for years, even if the specs have changed. While I have not had a tone of time under my belt with L-50s, the couple of f-hole L-50s I have gotten hold of had arched backs. I am also wondering f the guitar was more a special order rather than a "custom" order as I can see nothing about it that screams it is not a regular production model unless it is maybe the body wood. As a sideline, did Gibson even make custom one of a kind guitars for customers in the 1930s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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